Recently, I picked up a very interesting classic Mini. I was telling Pete about it and he said to post it here, but don't break the forum this time, so I'll do my best!
It is a 1969 Mini 1000. But this Mini was built in Chile. I'm still learning the history, but a brief summary, Chile demanded something 55-60% of any vehicles must be produced locally to be sold there. British Leland could not justify factory equipment to stamp the steel to be produced, so instead, they made glass fibre moulds. My understanding is around 2000 were made in Chile from 1969 to 1974.
I'm very excited to get this one on the road and drive it. The engine fires right up, just needs some adjustment on the carburetor and choke. I will be going through the suspension and touching up on some interior details, but overall, this one is pretty nice looking already. It happened to be on display at the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, TN for about 15 years before it was sold to the previous owner about a year ago. Pictures are from that sale ad where I found it. I'll try and actually update this thread as I make progress, but I tend to be slow about things sometimes.
Welcome!
Very cool car. Which parts are steel and which are fiberglass?
In reply to Woody (Forum Supportum) :
The entire body shell, doors, and boot lid are fiberglass. I understand there is a metal cage structure inside it. The window frames are metal and I believe places where metal components such as the subframes are bolted to have metal reinforcement built in.
In reply to VaguelyRandom :
Good to see you on here, we were talking about the car at Nelson on Saturday.
84FSP
UberDork
10/11/22 5:28 p.m.
Weird and cool. Wonder how weight compares to a standard metal mini?
In reply to 84FSP :
From what I've been reading, the glass fibre shell actually weighs in around 50-100lbs heavier, but it is also known to be stiffer. The prvious owner had this one weighed around 1380lbs.
I believe Turkey also had fibreglass Minis in that era.
I can't tell in the pics but I recall that they don't have the external seams of the steel ones which led to some interesting rule interpretations in Mini 7 racing since de-seaming, which was desirable for drag reduction was illegal, but substituting materials was OK.
Onward 
I never knew of fiberglass minis. Learn something every day.
NOHOME
MegaDork
10/12/22 8:48 a.m.
Learned something new today. Shades of Kimini.
Any links to learn more about this breed of Mini?
